National Archives and Records Administration

ARC Identifier 2569655 / Local Identifier 111-TV-387

Big Picture: Ottumwa, U.S.A.

DVD Copied by Katie Filbert - Department of Defense. Department of the Army. Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations. U.S. Army Audiovisual Center. (ca. 1974 - 05/15/1984). American way of life portrayed on Army's television series, "THE BIG PICTURE" -- In Ottumwa, Iowa, THE BIG PICTURE cameras have found a living example of the way of life and the true form of liberty of the American people. "Ottumwa, U.S.A." is touchingly poignant in its exploration of the priceless heritage which is the American way of life. This is a visual record of Ottumwa at work, its youth, its schools, and its religious institutions. It is first the story of a city, and second, the story of the Army's involvement with a city. This is a different kind of story than is usually released in THE BIG PICTURE television series. From its opening scene, the film grows in its appeal to capture the charm and warmth of a Midwestern community. Around the meaning of freedom and liberty, writers Reginald Wells and Harry Middleton, and producer Ben Stelson constructed a succession of moods that reflect enormous style and imagination. There are hundreds of communities across the broad face of the nation that reflect the image of Ottumwa, Iowa... typical citadel of the American way of life.

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